Flexible wrist-watch bracelet



Feb.. l, E92?. Lmm

-l.. s. cHlLsoN FLEXIBLE WRIST WATCH BRACELET Filed July 9, 1925 l' wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmQ/g Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES i 1,616,215 PATENT OFFICE.`

LEWIS S. CHILSON, 0F ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 J'. M. FISHER COMPANY, 0F ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

FLEXIBLE WRIST-WATCH BRACELET.

Application led July 9, 1923. Serial No. 650,307.

rlhis c invention relates to an improved construction of bracelet, preferably of the watch bracelet type; and has for its object to provide a flexible bracelet having a tubular body portion with attaching means at its ends and a spring or other elastic member extending through the body to permit the operating length of the bracelet to be extended or contracted to a predetermined extent.

1With these and other objects in v1ew, thc invention consists .of certain novel features lof construction, as will be more fully tlc-- scribed, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating my improved bracelet having its ends attached to opposite sides of a watch or other object.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a strip of metal fabric which is adapted to be rolled or folded into tubular shape-to form the outer case of the bracelet.

Figure 3 is an edge View of the attaching members for the ends of the bracelet which are connected together by a spring ywhich extends through the tubular body of the bracelet.

Fi re 4 is a sectional view in perspective showing one of the end pieces into which the ends of the tubular body is tted.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the attaching end members which is shown as having an elongated shank with a hook at its outer end.l

Figure G is a view let extended.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of a portion of a bracelet, showing the end of the body portion as secured in an end piece and the attaching member as slidably mounted in the end piece normally held contracted by the central spring.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7 showing the, tubular body of the bracelet as being circular in form in cross section.

Figure l9 is the same as Figure 8 but showing the tubular body and its spring as being flattened.

llt is found in the construction of watch bracelets and the like, of advantage to provide a tubular 'body portion, preferably formed of metal fabric having its ends seof my improved bracecured in sockets or end members and having attaching hooks or members slidably mounted in the end sockets and also having a spring or other elastic member extending through the body portion connecting the attaching hook members, whereby these hooks may be drawn out or extended for the purpose of permltting them to be more readily connected to the opposite sides of a Watch and when released to contract and close the mouth of the hook against the end of the bracelet, the body of the bracelet being yieldable and flexible and capable of a slight extension to closely lit about, and to remain in adjusted position on the arm of the wearer; and the following is a detailed description of one construction by which these results may be accomplished With reference to the'drawings, 10 designates the body portion of a bracelet, which may be constructed of any suitable material but which li preferably construct from a strip 11 of metal fabric, the side edges ot which strip are rolled or folded inwardly towards each other forming a tube which may be round as illustrated in Figure 8; or oblong as illustrated in Figure S); or it may be made in any other suitable or desired shape in cross section having a central opening therethrough for the reception of the f' contracting and expanding coiled spring 12, or other elastic member.

After this strip has been folded or rolled into the desired tubular shape its ends are fitted into suitable sockets 13, or end pieces, and secured therein, thereby forming a suitable finish for the ends of the tube and also serving to retain the rolled strip in finished position. This strip is preferably so woven or constructed that it is capable of a limited endways elongating and contracting movement which well adapts it for close, flexible or yelding engagement with the arm of the wearer.

In order to connect this bracelet to a watch or other device to which it may be attached, l have provided attaching means, one formation of which is herein shown which is that of a hook having a shank member 14 end- Uil its extremity 2O extending back to lie in close proximity or engagement with the under side of the end member 13, to assist in preventing the accidental release of the hook from engagement with the bail 21 of the watch, or other member to which it may be connected.

Also this hook member is provided with laterally-extending shoulders 22 between which isformed an offset tongue member 23, which tongue serves a double purpose: rst. l it provides'a stop to limit the inward or contracting motion of the hook; second, it provides a stop to prevent the unhooking or detaching action of the hook when engaging the bail to prevent accidental disengagement therewith.

In assembling my improved bracelet the strip 11 is first formed into tubular shape and the spring 12 is then passed therethrough, the`hook shank being of a length greater than that of the end piece, is passed through the end piece and the ends of the spring are attached to them. The ends of the body are then inserted into the end pieces and secured therein by a drop of solder or other suitable means.` The attaching hooks are then permitted by spring 12 to be extended until the hook 18 of the spring brings up against the inner wall of the slot in the end pieces and as soon as released these attaching hooks are contractedl or drawn back into the body of the bracelet under tension of this spring.

In some instances it has been found of advantage to insert and secure a sleeve 24 into the end of the tubular body as shown in Figure 7, to prevent the coils of the spring from form, that s iown resembling a serpent, the c woven metallic fabric of the body resembling scales of the serpents body, one piece resembling its head; while the hook represents an extended tongue, and the enlargement on the opposite end of the body resembles a rattle similar to that of a rattle snakes, but any other shape ot' body ends may be used and any suitable attaching means, may be provided by which the ends of the bracelet may be connected to a watch or other device, or by which the ends themselves, of the bracelet may be connected together, if desired.

I claim:

1. A flexible bracelet comprising an outer tubular casing of flexible metal mesh fabric, socket members secured to the ends ot' said casing, attaching means slidable in said socket members and adapted to be attached to a watch bail, and a spring extending through said casing from end to end and connected to said attaching members.

2. A flexible Watch bracelet comprising a tubulanbody, socket members associated with the ends of said body and partially closing said ends and having a narrow guide Slot in the outer ends thereof, attaching hooks adapted to be attached to a watch bail having shank portions slidable in said narrow guide slots, and spring means within said body normally tending to draw said shank portions within the body.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

LEWIS S. CHILSON. 

